Bigging It Up

The creeper makes a comeback

July 7, 2006—Among all the trends we spotted on and off the runway at the spring 2007 menswear collections, none stood out as much as the return of the creeper. In Milan we spied George Cox's classic crepe-soled shoes on a number of buyers and editors, including the style setters from hip Japanese fashion magazine Engine. Over in Paris, meanwhile, John Galliano and Dirk Schönberger both incorporated new takes on the Teddy boy classic in their shows: The former pumped his up with thick 2-inch soles, oversized buckles, and wild leopard prints, while the minimalist Belgian embraced muted tones and a narrower cut. All that comes on the heels of Rei Kawakubo's round-toed leather creepers, which she sent down the Comme des Garçons runway some six months ago. Available in black, white, a combination thereof (left), and blood red, the shoes will be hitting stores over the next few weeks. Finally, U.K. footwear company Double Identity, whose Converse-style high-tops are coveted by trendsetters like Beck, Usher, and CFDA Award-winning jewelry designer Tom Binns, has also done a version for fall. "I've always loved creepers' style, but I could never get over the bulkiness of the sole," says Double Identity designer Johnny Tsiattalou. "That's why we've made ones that are really light, and easy to wear." Don't worry, though—they still look like they could kick ass.
Comme des Garçons, $670–$700, available at Jeffrey New York, 449 W. 14th St., (212) 206-1272, and Comme des Garçons, 520 W. 22nd St., NYC, (212) 604-9200; Double Identity, $150, available at the Library, 268 Brompton Rd., London, (44) 020-7589-6569.